Refrigerating machine



Nqv. 10, 1936. A. A.'KUCHER 20,166

- v 'REFRIGERATING MACfjINE Original Filed Oct. 13, 1925 2 She egs-Sheet1 AAKu'c her' V INVENTOR WITNES-I I I I 1 0 I w 7 ATTORNEY Nov. 10,1936.- KUCHER Re. 20,166

REFRIGERATING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 13, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AHMUChef I WITNESS" j INVENTOR r I v 3 a ATTOR EY Reissued Nov. 10, 1936UNITED STATES Re. 20,166 PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATING MACHINE Andrew A.Kucher. Dayton, Ohio,- assignor to Westinghouse Electric & ManufacturingCompany, a corporation of Pennsylvania Original No. 1,798,684, datedMarch 31 ,'1931,

Serial No. 62.278, October 13, 1925. Application for reissue 683,409

March 29, 1933. Serial No.

19 mm. (01. sa-us) unitary structure to prevent escape of the work-- ingfluid.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout thefurther description of my invention, may be attained by the employshownin Fig. 1.

Briefly speaking, my invention comprises a refrigerating machine inwhich the compression mechanism, consisting of a' compressor driven byan electric motor, is entirely enclosed within a hermetically sealedchamber. Such an arrangement avoids the necessity of providing a stumngbox for the shaft connecting the motor and the compressor, prevents anyescape of the working fluid and eflectively muilles any operating noiseswhich may be created by the compressor or the motor. In addition, Ilocate the condensing element concentrically about the chamber whichencloses both the motor and the compressor so that a very compact andsymmetrical'arrangement of the entire high pressure "portion of themachine, that is, the portion generally located outside of therefrigerator box, is provided. Such a form of refrigerating machineoccupies a minimum amount of space consistent with its capacity, a verydesirable feature in household refrigerating machines. The coolingelement or evaporator may be one of marry well known forms and may bepreferably located in the refrigerator box beneath the compressionchamber and directly connected thereto. The above features, togetherwith numerous other features, which will be described hereinafter,cooperate to provide a refrigerating machine well adapted for domesticinstallation and for effective operation under the exacting requirementsof household use.'

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description of myinvention, I show, in Fig. 1, a portion of a refrigerator box lluponwhich is mounted the compression and condensing mechanisms with thecooling element located within the box. The compression mechanismcomprises a compressor II which is directly connected through a shaft I!to a motor l3 for driving the same. While I have shown a rotary form ofcompressor, it is to be understood that I may readily employ acompressor of the reciprocating type or any one of numerous other formsof compressors such as are generally employed in refrigerating machines.Furthermore, while I have directly connected the motor to thecompressor, which arrangement is the most compact procurable, I mayreadily provide means for altering the speed of the compressor relativeto the motor. Both the motor and the compressor are disposed within afluid tight compression chamber M which is preferably of cylindricalconformation and is provided at its respective ends with removable coverplates l5 and i6.

The shaft I2 is supported at its lower end in a bearing l1 provided inthe lower cover plate It and is supported at its upper end in a bearingl8 provided in the compressor. An intermediate bearing is is providedfor the shaft which bearing is carried in a wall'r'nember 2| fixed inthe compression chamber. This wall member divides the compressionchamber into what may be termed -a lubricant receptacle 22 and a motorhousing 23, the lubricant receptacle containing the compressor and themotor housing the motor.

The compressor discharges through a conduit 24 into the lubricantreceptacle 22,- the exit end of the conduit being arranged in closelyspaced relation with the upper' cover plate l5 so that fluid dischargedfrom the compressor is impinged thereon. The exit end 25 of thedischarge con- 19 which is preferably wound about the compressionchamber H as shown in Fig. 2. The lower portion of the coil communicateswith the overflow conduit 30. Cooling water for absorbing the heat ofcondensation is supplied through an inlet 32 to a water coil 33 whichisarranged concentrically within the condensing coil 29, the water beingdischarged from the coil through an outlet 34. While I have shown acondenser in the form of a coil .wound helically about the compressionchamber, nevertheless, it is to be understood that I may employ any oneof many well known forms of condensers or heat exchanging devicesadapted to encircle the compression chamber. Furthermore, while I haveshown a condenser which utilizes water as a cooling medium,- it isapparent that I may dispense with-the water connections and permit airto pass over the condensing coil and absorb the necessary heat ofcondensation in this way.

The condensing coil 29 is connected to a conduit 35 which passes insideof the refrigerator box and which connects with a cooling element orevaporator ll. Provided in the conduit 35 is a float valve 31. forcontrolling the flow of liquid therethrough. The evaporator 36 comprisesan expansion chamber 31 and a freezing chamber 88 containing somenon-congealable liquid such as alcohol and water. Disposed within thefreezing chamber 38 is a container 39 for supporting a pluralityof molds4| for forming ice. Superimposed upon the expansion chamber 31 is asurge tank 42 which communicates with the expansion chamber and whichcontains a level of liquid working fluid such as indicated at 4!.

For removing refrigerant fluid from the evaporator, an outlet conduit 44is provided within the evaporator which conduit has its entrant portion45 located above the liquid level and is so formed as to have a portionextending below the liquid level. Provided in the outlet conduit 44, ata point below the liquid level 43, is an aperture or small opening 46for permitting a restricted flow of liquid from the'surge tank into theconduit. The outlet conduit 44 of the evaporator is connected through asuction conduit 41 to the compression chamber to which it connects inthe vicinity of the ion or bearing [1. The fluid is then drawn upwardlythrough a hollow portion 48 of the'ishaft l2, the hollow portion 48communicating through radially disposed holes 49 with a passage 5|connecting with the inlet of the compressor ll.

Lubricant is supplied to the upper bearing l8 and the compressor H bymeans of an inverted tube 52 which connects the upper portion of thebearing ID with the lower portion of the receptacle 22. The lubricant issupplied to the intermediate bearing I! by a conduit 5} and a passageI4. Lubricant discharged from the intermediate hearing I! is collectedin a lubricant arrester i5 whichis drained through radially disposedholes I! to the hollow portion 48 of the shaft l2.

Electrical energy is supplied to the motor I! through fluid tightinsulated plugs 51 provided in 'operation, the float valvetl-isgpartially fllled, the

' 'pletely filled and the receptacle 22 as well as the the lower coverplate It.

The operation of the above embodiment of my invention is as follows:

Assuming the refrigerating machine to be in expansion chamber 31 of, theevaporator is comsurge tank 42 are fllled to levels such as indicated atand 43 respectively with a body of liquid working fluid. The liquidworking fluid which I prefer to employ consists of arefrigerant and alubricant which together form a physical solution separable only byvaporization and is disclosed in my Patent No. 1,645,198 issued 0ctober11, 1927, and entitled Working fluid for refrigeration.

The action of the compressor ll maintains a pressure suiflciently low inthe expansion chamber 21 of the evaporator to induce vaporization of theliquid working fluid contained therein. In the vaporization process,heat is absorbed from the interior of the refrigerator box l0 and.

from the non-congealable liquid contained in the ,sponse to thetemperature prevailing within the refrigerator box, an evaporator of theform iliustrated possesses numerous advantages. Heat is absorbed fromthe interior of the refrigerator box directly through the outer walls ofthe expansion chamber, thus insuring excellent heat conduction. On theother hand, the ice molds 4| are disposed within the freezing chamber 28which contains a substantial body of non-congealable liquid having acold storage capacity. sufficient to prevent melting of the ice duringthe idle periods of the machine. In other words, the refrigerator box iscooled by the direct method while ice is formed by the indirect method,thus providing ideal conditions for maintaining the box at a lowtemperature and for manufacturing and maintaining a maximum quantity ofice.

Because of the aperture 48, which is provided in the outlet conduit 44within the surge tank, a small quantity of liquid working fluid isentrained in the vapor removed from the expansion chamber 31 by thecompressor II. This refrigerant vapor and commingled liquid passupwardly through the conduit 41 and enter the compression chamber l4.From the compression chamber II the fluid is drawn upwardly through thehollow portion 48 of the shaft l2 and passes out through the radialholes 49 to the passage BI and thence to the inlet of the compressor lI. In its passage it absorbs a portion of the heat generated bythemotor. The refrigerant vapor is discharged from the compressor throughthe conduit 24 and impinged against the upper cover plate Ii. The liquidworking fluid, which consists of a refrigerant and a lubricant and whichhas been entrained in the refrigerant vapor leaving the surge tank 42,materially assists in lubricating and sealing the compressor in passingtherethrough. This novel method of entraining a refrigerant andlubricating liquid in the refrigerant vapor passing to the compressor isdisclosed in my Patent No. 1,656,917 issued January 24, 1928, forRefrigeration.

As stated heretofore, the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressoris impinged against v the upper cover plate l5 and the entrained liquidThe falls downwardly into the receptacle 22. liquid collecting in-thereceptaclev 22 is therefore subjected to the heat generated by thecompressor as well as to some of the heat generated by the motor andthis heat is utilized to vaporize off the refrigerant component leavinga body of liquid in the receptacle which is substantially a lubricant.Incidentally, the heat generated by the compressor as well as some ofthe heat generatedby the motor is absorbed. This novel -method ofproducing a lubricating fluid and of fected. The condensing coil and thecooling coil are so arranged that the refrigerant vapor dissipates heatboth to the surrounding atmosphere as well as to the water in the coil.The cooling water is preferably circulated upwardly through the coil inorder to obtain the well known advantages of the contraflow principle.Any excess lubricating fluid which may accumulate in the receptacle 22overflows through the conduit Ill and commingies with the condensedrefrigerant in the conduit is. This liquid drains down ly and uponsuiiicient accumulation thereof in the chamber of the float valve II,the latter opens to permit the liquid to pass into the expansion chamber81 of the evaporator ll. Heat is then absorbed from the interior of therefrigerator box and iceisformedinthemoldsll inthemanner heretoforedescribed.

Segregation of the lubricating liquid within the expansion chamber 3! isprevented by the constant entrainment of liquid in the aperture 4| sothat there is a constant circulation of liquid working fluid, consistingof condensed refrigerant and lubricating liquid, through the expansionchamber. This entrained liquid, in being drawn upwardly to the inlet ofthe compressor I l lubricates the lower bearing H in its passage besidesassisting in lubricating and sealing the compressor in passingtherethrough.

Lubrication oi the upper. bearing is is eifected by the passage of thelubricating fluid contained in the receptacle 2: through the invertedtube 5:.

The liquid entering the upper. bearing l8 lubricates the same and thendrains downwardly into the compressor wherein it assists the entrainedliquid passing through the compressor in sealing and lubricating theworking parts. Circulation of lubricant through the upper bearing II andthrough the compressor is induced by the difference in pressureprevailing between the receptacle and the interior of the compressor.

Lubrication of the intermediate bearing is is cifected by the "lubricantwhich drains downwardly through the conduit 53 and passage 54 to thehearing. The lubricant discharged from this hearing is collected in thelubricant arrester 55 from whence it drains throuizhthe radiallydisposed holes 56 to the hollow portion 40 of the shaft l2. Within thehollow portion 48 of the shaft II this lubricating liquid, like theliquid which has passed through the aperture 46 in the surge tank, isentrained in the refrigerant vapor passing to the inlet of thecompressor and assists insealing and lubricating the same.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have invented arefrigerating machine which is especially adapted for domestic use inthat it contains a minimum number of working parts and is verycompactlyarranged. This compact-.

ness is derived by directly connecting the compressor to the motor andby housing both the motor and compressor in a common chamber so that thecondensing element may be, what might a be termed, w pped around thischamber. While I have described my form of refrigerator as beingpreferably water cooledrmy apparatus is so arranged that air may bereadily utilized to condense the refrigerant vapor.

While I have shown my invention in one form,

it be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, butis susceptible of various other changes and modifications, withoutdepart- 1. In a refrigerator apparatus the combination of an evaporator,a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, said compressor andsaid motor being entirely housed within a single hermetically sealed andsubstantially cylindrical casing, and a condensing coil arranged outsideof and concentric with the casing and in physical thermal conductingrelation therewith, said coil encompassing the greater portion of theouter surface of the casing.

ii.v In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acompressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casingenclosing both the motor and the compressor, a division wall provided inthe casing between the compressor and the motor and forming a singlecompartment for housing the compressor and for retaining abody oflubricant for the compressor and another compartment for housing themotor, and a condensing element separate from and disposed around the"casing,

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acompressor, a motor for driving the compressor, and a fluid tight casingentirely enclosing both the compressor and the motor, said fluid tightcasing being provided with two separate closures for permitting accessto the motor and to the compressor respectively.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acompressor, a motor for v driving the compressor, a cylindrical casingentirely enclosing both the motor and the compressor, and a removablefluid tight closure provided in each end of the cylinder for permittingaccess to the motor and to the compressor, respectively.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus,-the combination of an evaporator, afluid tight enclosing casing, and a compressor and a motor for drivingthe compressor disposed within the casing, said fluid tight casing beingprovided with a removable closure for permitting access to the motor anda second and oppositely disposed removable closure for permitting accessto the compressor.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acompressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casingenclosing both the compressor and the motor, separate closures providedin the casing for permitting access to the motor and the compressorrespectively, and a condenser disposed exteriorly tion of an evaporator,a fluid tight casing; a

compressor and a motor for driving the compressor disposed within thecasinB. said motor embodying rotating and stationary elements and havingits stationary element supported directly in the walls of the enclosingcasing, whereby the heat generated by the motor is radiated directlythrough the walls of the enclosing casing, and a condenser locatedexteriorly of and surrounding the enclosing casing.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, afluid tight casing, a compressor and a motor for driving the compressordisposed'within the casing, said enclosing casing embodying removableand closures for permitting access to the motor and to the compressorrespectively and said motorembodying rotating and stationaryelements'and having its stationary element supported directly in thewalls of the enclosing casing, whereby the heat generated by the motoris radiated directly through ing an intermediate member and removablemembers secured at opposite sides thereof, one of said removable membersbeing arranged to permit access to the motor and the other of saidremovable members being arranged to permit access to the compressor, andconduit means connected to the intermediate member for providingcommunication between the compressor and the condensing. element.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporatingelement, a condensing element, a compressor, a motor for driving thecompressor, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both the motor and thecompressor, said casing having an intermediate member and removablemembers secured at. opposite sides thereof, one of said removablemembers being arranged to permit, access to the motor and the other ofsaid removable members being arranged to permit access secured atopposite sides thereof, one of-said removable members being arranged topermit access to the motor and the other of said removable members beingarranged to permit access to the compressor, and conduit means connectedto the intermediate member for providing communication between thecasing and the evaporating and condensing elements.

'- 13. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acompressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a fluid-tight casingentirely enclosing both the motor and the compressor, and a condensingelement separate from,

- and disposed around, the casing in physical thermal-conductingrelation thereto. 14. In a motor-compressor unit, the combination of acompressor including movable and stationary elements, a motor includinga rotor and a stator for driving the compressor, a fluid tight casingenclosing the motor and compressor,said casing embodying a closedpartition means inter- -mediate of the casing and extending the entirewidth thereof for dividing the easing into separate motor and compressorchambers, the motor and compressor being at least partially supported bythe partition means in their respective cham-" bers, a drive shaftconnecting the rotor of the,

motor and the movable element of the compressor and extending throughthe partition means, and removable closure means associated with thecasing for permitting access to the rotor and the stator of the motorand to the compressor while disposed in their normal assembled relation.

15. In a motor-compressor unit, the combination of a compressorincluding movable and stabeingremovable to expose said compressor.

tionary elements, a motor including a rotor and a stator for driving thecompressor, a fluid tight casing enclosing the motor and compressor,said casing embodying a closed partition means intermediate of thecasing and extending the entire 5 width thereof for dividing the casinginto separate motor and compressor chambers, the motor and compressorbeing at least partially supported by the partition means in theirrespective chambers, a drive shaftconnecting the rotor of the motor andthe movable element of the compressor and extending through thepartition means, and removable closure means associated with the casingfor permitting access to the rotor and the stator of themotor whiledisposed in their normal assembled relation.

16; In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a motorfor driving the cornpressor, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both themotor and compressor and partition means pro- 20 vided interiorly of thecasing, extending. completely across the casing and forming therewith acompartment for housing the motor and a second and single compartmentfor both housing the compressor and for storing lubricant, said motorand compressor being on opposite sides of the partition means with thecompressor supported entirely by said means, and a drive shaft vconnecting said motor directly with the compressor and passing throughsaid means whereby the compressor is driven at substantially motorspeed.

17. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a motorfor driving the compressor, fluid tight means for enclosing the motorand compressor, a partition extending across and sealed to said meansand forming therewith a cornpartljnent for housing the motor and asecondcompartment for housing the compressor, said motorand compressor beingon opposite sides of the partition, and a drive shaft connecting saidmotor to the compressor and passing through said partition, a portion ofsaid means being removable to permit access to said motor and anotherportion being removable to expose'sald compressor.

' 18. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, amotor for driving the compressor, a structural assembly forming a fluidtight container for enclosing the motor and the compressor, saidstructural assembly embodying a partition sealed to and extending acrossthe container between the motor and the compressor, said motor andcompressor being disposed on opposite sides of the partition, and adrive shaft connecting the motor and compressor and passing through saidpartition, said structural assembly also embodying a removable'portionfor aflording'access to said motor and another removable portion foraffording access to' said compressor.

19. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a compressor, amotor for driving thecompressor, fluid-tight means for enclosing themotor and compressor, a partition sealed to the enclosing means andextending transversely (:5 thereof so as to form therewith a compartmentfor housing the motor and a second compartment for housing thecompressor, said motor and compressor beingon opposite sides of thepartition, and a drive shaft connecting said motor to m the compressorand passing through saidpartition, a portion of said means beingremovable to permit access to the motor, and another portion ANDREW A.KUCHER.

